Key points:
- Fight had the largest number of bets and amount staked in Entain’s history
- Netflix saw 65 million households at its peak
Entain has released figures from last week’s big Netflix boxing fight between the legendary Mike Tyson and YouTuber Jake Paul.
Overall, the fight was highly popular for the operator, seeing the highest number of bets and total amount staked in its history for a combat event across its BetMGM, Coral and Ladbrokes brands.
Given the age difference between the pair, it was understandable that Paul was the bookie’s favourite going into the bout, but given his legendary status it was equally foreseeable that according to Entain data Tyson dominated the betting, with 68% backing him to win, with an Iron Mike win by knockout being the most bet-on method of victory.
The Netflix effect may have aided things with the fight watched by 65 million households at its peak, with 50 million reported to have also viewed Katie Taylor’s win against Amanda Serrano on the undercard.
Likewise, Paul’s influence may have also helped things for Entain, having previously been involved in six of the top 25 most bet on boxing matches in Entain’s history. The previous record for number of bets placed came during Tyson Fury and Oleksander Usyk in May 2024.
Entain Managing Director for Sports Greg Ferris said: “Our trading desks are always ready for an increase in interest from a "celebrity" type fighter, but the impact of Netflix broadcasting this fight can’t be overlooked. Their large subscriber base, promotion and the decision to offer to existing customers at no additional cost saw record numbers of viewers.
Good to know: In the US, the fight set an all-time betting high with the likes of BetMGM and DraftKings reporting record betting figures
“Putting these two in a ring attracted fans from both sides of the fence, creating a rare crossover event. With the odds also relatively close, a whole raft of new bettors flocked to back their favourites making this the most bet fight in our history.
“It will be fascinating to see if this follows through to their Christmas Day NFL games, which they are broadcasting for the first time this year, and if any other large streaming platforms react.”
Similarly, in August Entain reported record betting figures for the Olympics, while in October the operator highlighted a significant rise in NFL betting activity in the UK and Ireland, following the 2024/25 season and three high-profile London games.
